Double Bass 1950 Kay double bass

[Redman01]

I bought a kay upright and it sounds fantastic but i can't lower the strings enough to keep from killing my fingers. The fretboard has a slight bow from the neck to bridge. Is there a way of fixing without taking the fretboard off or replacing?

 

[210superair]

Pics?

 

[Redman01]

I'll have take a side vew fretboard.

 

[Steven Ayres]

If you're completely new to upright double bass, some degree of "killing my fingers" is to be expected in the early stages, not just from the more muscular technique necessary but also to the stretching to reach positions on the longer scale relative to the electric bass. Everyone here who knows will recommend a teacher to demonstrate healthy and effective technique.

A "slight bow" in the upright fingerboard is a feature, not a bug. The longer, thicker strings require more relief in the fingerboard to allow for their travel, particularly the lower pitches.

With some detailed photos we can help diagnose whether you have a structural problem that needs addressing.

 

[Redman01]

If you're completely new to upright double bass, some degree of "killing my fingers" is to be expected in the early stages, not just from the more muscular technique necessary but also to the stretching to reach positions on the longer scale relative to the electric bass. Everyone here who knows will recommend a teacher to demonstrate healthy and effective technique.

A "slight bow" in the upright fingerboard is a feature, not a bug. The longer, thicker strings require more relief in the fingerboard to allow for their travel, particularly the lower pitches.

With some detailed photos we can help diagnose whether you have a structural problem that needs addressing.

I've be playing bass for several yrs an know it takes some getting my fingers use to it but my finger tips hurt an i have string buzz after a bit. I think its because of string hight, i may be wrong, so I'm just wondering and asking.

At the nut string hight it about .4mm at halfway

its 1mm at the bottom of the fretboard its .8mm
I can hold the string down at the bottom of fretboard and the string hight is .8mm way up.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I would say this is a very easy setup for a DB. At the nut it might be a bit lower, but that only affects the lowest position (“1st fret”).
You might want to use stretchier strings than steel core at least when starting to slowly develop your muscles.
Gut needs more room under the string, so I do not recommend them, but synthetic core metal wound strings might work.
Try a used set of Obligato, Evah Pirazzi Weich, Innovation Polychromes or Innovation Braided or Super Sensitive Sensicore (but NOT Dominants!).
Keep your current strings, you might want to change back after a year or two.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Keep in mind that ruler has 3-4mm of dead space on the bottom before the measuring lines start.

 

[Redman01]

Keep in mind that ruler has 3-4mm of dead space on the bottom before the measuring lines start.

Yep, the .8mm is with the .4mm on the unmarked part of ruler.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I always hate it when I end up with a ruler like that. You need a second ruler to measure the dead space!

 

[james condino]

Yep, the .8mm is with the .4mm on the unmarked part of ruler.

Lets be clear: those measurements are .8 / .4 centimeters or 8 / 4 millimeters, NOT .8mm.....

A bit of history:

The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-168) passed by Congress. The Metric Act established the US Metric Board to coordinate and plan the increasing use and voluntary conversion to the metric system.

.....and then it was basically nullified by Reagan in 1980, so that 40 years later most US citizens still struggle with its use....

 

[CaseyVancouver]

My first bass was a ‘41 Kay. It was great.

Your string height looks reasonable. You fingers just have to get used to it. Regular playing does the job. When you get blisters cut ‘em and let things heal. Blood, sweat and tears. Just joking.

Stick with it, it gets better.

I used Spiro’s on mine. Guts just did not sound deep enough for me. Some use Spiro solo’s tuned regular to get more of a gut feel.

Spiro’s and Dominants sound beautiful and worth a bit of effort if you can handle it. I even like Spiro stark (heavy) for jazz.

 

[Steven Ayres]

The photos that will tell us more would be of the bridge, overall from the front, and the neck joint from either side.